legitimate

Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "legitimate" is:

• /ləˈdʒɪtɪmət/

Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:

• lə (leh): /l/ (voiced alveolar lateral liquid) + /ə/ (schwa)

• ˈdʒɪ (juh): /dʒ/ (voiced palatal affricate) + /ɪ/ (short i)

• tɪ (tih): /t/ (voiceless alveolar stop) + /ɪ/ (short i)

• mət (muht): /m/ (voiced bilabial nasal) + /ə/ (schwa) + /t/ (voiceless alveolar stop)

Word Form Variations

• The word "legitimate" doesn't have any plural or singular forms. It's an adjective, and adjectives typically don't change their form based on number.

  However, it can be used in different parts of speech:

  • Noun: legitimacy (the state of being legitimate)

  • Verb: legitimize (to make something legitimate)

  • Adverb: legitimately (in a legitimate manner)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun: Legitimacy

• Definition: The state of being lawful, genuine, or authentic.

• Synonyms: Validity, authenticity, genuineness, lawfulness

• Antonyms: Illegality, illegitimacy, illegality, spuriousness

Verb: Legitimize

• Definition: To make something lawful, genuine, or authentic.

• Synonyms: Validate, authorize, ratify, sanction

• Antonyms: Disapprove, condemn, invalidate, reject

Adjective: Legitimate

• Definition: Lawful, genuine, or authentic.

• Synonyms: Valid, authentic, genuine, lawful

• Antonyms: Illegitimate, spurious, unauthorized, fake

Adverb: Legitimately

• Definition: In a lawful, genuine, or authentic manner.

• Synonyms: Lawfully, validly, genuinely, authentically

• Antonyms: Illegally, unlawfully, spuriously, falsely

Examples of Use

Books

• "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood: "The government claims that the Republic of Gilead is a legitimate state, a theocracy based on biblical law."

• "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee: "Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of a crime he didn't commit, arguing for his legitimate innocence."

Newspapers

• The New York Times: "The article discusses the legitimacy of the recent election, questioning whether the results were fair and accurate."

• The Washington Post: "A piece examines the legal and ethical implications of a new technology, debating whether its use is legitimate."

Online Publications

• The Atlantic: "An essay explores the concept of "legitimate anger," discussing when and how it is justified."

• Vox: "A post analyzes the legitimacy of various claims made about climate change, separating fact from fiction."

Entertainment Mediums and Platforms

• TV Show: "Game of Thrones": "The characters constantly struggle to establish their legitimacy as rulers, often through violence and deception."

• Movie: "The King's Speech": "The film portrays the challenges faced by King George VI as he strives to legitimize his reign."

General Public Discourse

• Social media: "People debate the legitimacy of various conspiracy theories, often using evidence and arguments to support their claims."

• Political debates: "Politicians frequently question the legitimacy of their opponents' policies or actions, arguing that they are unlawful or unfair."

These examples illustrate the versatility of the word "legitimate" and its relevance in various contexts, from literature and politics to social media and popular culture.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Legitimate

1. "The only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed." — William Henry Harrison

2. "The legitimate powers of government extend only to such acts as are injurious to others." — Thomas Jefferson

3. "Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers." — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

4. "A regime that has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power." — Colin Powell

5. "The people are the only legitimate fountain of power." — James Madison

6. "Governments everywhere that are unable to guarantee equitable growth and social welfare suffer a decay of legitimacy." — Pankaj Mishra

7. "Legitimacy, when challenged, bases itself on an appeal to the past, while justification relates to an end that lies in the future." — Hannah Arendt

8. "In a world of increasing inequality, the legitimacy of institutions prioritizing property rights over human rights is inevitably questioned." — David Korten

9. "International cooperation requires legitimacy rooted in community perspectives to be effective." — Ian Goldin

10. "Legitimacy of the leadership depends on what that country thinks of its leaders." — Zbigniew Brzezinski

    These quotes reflect different views on the nature and limits of legitimate authority, emphasizing themes like democracy, governance, and the need for public consent to wield power effectively. They address how legitimacy underpins social institutions and political systems, impacting governance at national and global levels.

Etymology

The word "legitimate" comes from the Latin word "legitimus," which means "lawful" or "according to law." This word is made up of two parts: "legis," which means "law," and "timus," which means "pertaining to."

So, the word "legitimate" originally meant something that is "pertaining to the law" or "in accordance with the law." It was first used in English around the 14th century with this meaning.

Over time, the meaning of "legitimate" has expanded to include not only things that are lawful but also things that are genuine, authentic, or valid.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Legitimate

Common Phrases:

• "Legitimate concern": A genuine or valid worry.

• "Legitimate business": A lawful or authorized enterprise.

• "Legitimate government": A government that is lawful and recognized.

• "Legitimate child": A child born in wedlock.

• "Legitimate target": A person or object that is a lawful target in war or other conflict.

Less Common Phrases:

• "Legitimate claim": A valid right or entitlement.

• "Legitimate authority": A lawful or recognized power.

• "Legitimate expectation": A reasonable or justified belief.

• "Legitimate defense": A lawful justification for an action, especially in criminal law.

Idioms with Synonyms:

• "On the up and up": Honest, fair, or legitimate.

• "Straight and narrow": Honest, moral, or legitimate.

• "Above board": Honest, fair, or legitimate.

• "Fair and square": Honest, fair, or legitimate.

• "By the book": Lawful, legitimate, or according to the rules.

Note: While there are many phrases and idioms that use the word "legitimate," it's not as common in idiomatic expressions as some other words. This is likely because the word itself is already quite direct and straightforward, making it less necessary to use it in figurative or idiomatic language.

Posts Related to Legitimate

Source Information

Definition of legitimate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.